Backyard Chickens in Parma, Ohio

Can you keep chickens in Parma?

Thinking about raising backyard chickens in Parma, Ohio? Unfortunately, current city law stands firmly in the way — chickens, along with ducks, geese, and turkeys, are banned entirely within Parma's city limits. Read on to understand exactly what the ordinance says, why enforcement has tightened over the years, and what options (if any) exist for hopeful Parma poultry-keepers.

Not straightforward

No. The City of Parma, Ohio explicitly prohibits residents from keeping chickens (and all other domestic fowl) anywhere within city limits. Under Parma Codified Ordinance § 618.09(b), "The owning or keeping of any fowl, including, but not limited to domestic geese, ducks, turkeys, and chickens within the City limits is hereby prohibited." There is no residential permit path, hen-count allowance, or general homeowner exemption. The only carve-outs are for schools raising chicks/ducks temporarily for educational purposes (which must be given to an authorized farm within two weeks of hatching) and for the Stearns Homestead historical farm site. There is no distinction for hens vs. roosters — all chickens are banned.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Restricted
How many hens: Not Allowed
Roosters: No
Permit required: Not specified
Setback from property line: Not specified

Peggy knows Parma

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Because chicken-keeping is banned outright under § 618.09(b) of the Parma Codified Ordinances, there are no coop, setback, sanitation, or permit rules for backyard chickens — the ordinance does not need to regulate coop construction since the underlying activity itself is illegal for ordinary residents. The only narrow exceptions are (1) schools temporarily raising chicks/ducks for educational purposes, which must transfer the birds to an authorized farm within two weeks of hatching, and (2) the Stearns Homestead historical farm site, which is exempted for public-display purposes.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Parma

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6a/6b

Parma sits in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a to 6b, with average annual extreme minimum temperatures between about -10°F and 0°F. The area experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers typical of the Cleveland/Great Lakes region — conditions that would require cold-hardy breeds and insulated coop design if chicken-keeping were legal here.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumCoyoteSkunk

Although chicken-keeping is not legal in Parma, the region is home to typical Northeast Ohio suburban predators including raccoons, red-tailed hawks, red foxes, opossums, coyotes, and skunks, all of which are known to target unsecured poultry in neighboring communities that do permit backyard flocks.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Not applicable — backyard chickens are prohibited within Parma city limits. (For nearby jurisdictions that do allow chickens, cold-hardy breeds such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, or Orpingtons are typically suited to this climate zone.)

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Parma

▸Can I keep just a couple of hens in my backyard in Parma?

No. Parma's ordinance does not distinguish between hens and roosters or set any numeric limit — it bans the owning or keeping of any fowl, including chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, citywide (§ 618.09(b)).

▸Is there a permit or exemption process to get approval for chickens in Parma?

No standard permit or variance process exists for residential chicken-keeping. The ordinance's only exceptions are for schools raising chicks/ducks temporarily for educational projects and for the Stearns Homestead historical farm, which is exempted for public-display purposes.

▸Are roosters treated differently than hens under Parma's law?

No — the ordinance makes no distinction between hens and roosters. All chickens, of any sex, are prohibited within city limits under § 618.09(b).

▸Has Parma considered changing its chicken ordinance?

Residents have organized petitions and online campaigns (including a Change.org petition) urging the City Council to revise Ordinance 618.09 to permit backyard chickens, but as of the current code, the prohibition remains fully in effect.

▸What happens if I keep chickens in Parma anyway?

Violating § 618.09 is charged as a misdemeanor of the third degree, and the ordinance specifies that a separate offense is committed for each day a violation continues.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Parma or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 19, 2026.